Irabu’s Death Confirmed as Suicide

The death certificate filed in Los Angeles for former Major League Baseball pitcher Hideki Irabu showed that he committed suicide in his Rancho Palos Verdes home, officials said Thursday.

The Japan-born Irabu, who was 42, was found dead on July 27 in the 2200 block of Via Velardo, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The cause of death is listed as “hanging … with rope … suicide,” said Assistant Chief Ed Winter of the coroner’s office.

Irabu pitched for the New York Yankees from 1997 to 1999, the Montreal Expos in 2000 and 2001, and the Texas Rangers in 2002, when he retired. He won two World Series rings with the Yankees, in 1998 and 1999.

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